After the obedience trials last weekend, Mum has decided to make a fresh start in our training. The first challenge she took on is keeping my attention when she takes my lead off. She now gives me heaps of yummy treats before letting me off, and she gives me more treats if I stay close to her. Sounds good?
Also, this week she bought me a new jacket so that I can stay warm when walking even in the coldest day. Although it doesn't snow here in Auckland, we still get some frost like this in cold mornings.
The new jacket is not only warm and waterproof but also breathable according to the seller's description of the jacket on TradeMe online auction website.
Mum hopes that my new coat will ease the discomfort from arthritis in my hips.
When I had a walk in this new jacket for the first time, Mum videoed me practising my new attention exercise.
Do you think exercise like this is helpful for the purpose? I am not sure...
Before I go, I will show you a photo of Mint wearing a raincoat. This morning Mint had a walk in this raincoat for the first time. Mint wiggled and tried to bite the coat when Mum was putting it on him. But, Mum says Mint didn't mind it when he was walking, which I didn't see because Mint and I walk separately.
It is a miserable day with lots of rain here. I hope it will clear up on the weekend, which is unlikely though.
Oh it is such a miserable day today, isn't it! Bring back summer I say! I let Pepper out to go toilet and she came back in looking like a drenched rat hehe. I love the coats, they're so cute.
ReplyDeleteOh - I LOVE your new coat, Cinnamon - what a stunning colour!! Mint's raincoat is very stylish too although it's a bit - um - girlie, isn't it? But - shhh! Don't tell him! :-)
ReplyDeleteI like that new attention exercise you're doing - I think it's a great idea - hopefully,it should help! My human thinks it might be more helpful if your human uses a specific word for giving attention rather than just "Good" which she might use in other situations too, so it might get confusing. I know she's using "Good" to praise you - but maybe she can add another command before that, when you are actually LOOKING at her - so that you understand that is the cue for attention?
I think you already give amazing attention for a Beagle! :-)
Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane
Brody has three coats, even though he's meant to be a big tough working breed dog... but he dosent like to sit or lie down in them! Silly boy, Cinnamon looks great :-)
ReplyDeleteYou know I do similar exercises. Momma says that I am so smart to know when she has cookies and when she does not. I bet you are too.
ReplyDeleteI think your new jacket is toasty and stylish.
Slobbers,
Mango
great exercise (: and cool outfits!
ReplyDeleteI think working on attention is a great idea! If she usually looses attention when the leash is taken off though then I would likely practice unclipping and re clipping a bunch more. So instead of just taking it off once and continuing to work eye contact, I would repeat this action several times in your 1 min clip.
ReplyDeleteAlso, is "good dog" a marker word that you're using? When rewarding her eye contact I might use my click, or my marker word of "yes" but I wouldn't just use praise. Since in the obedience ring you are not allowed to talk to your dog, I practice that way! Silence comes to mean good to my dogs. I might say "good dog!" every now and then, but otherwise I just smile and am silent so that there's not a huge difference between practice and the ring.
If you're interested, I did a post on attention work in my blog a couple months ago.
http://laurawaudby.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-have-attentive-dog.html
Nice coats! Amazing to think that you are so cold and we are sooo hot here (105 F). We are proud of the progress you and your mom have made in training.
ReplyDeletelove & wags,
River
You look very stylish in you coats :)
ReplyDeleteWe are very sorry we didn't manage to get to see you do your obedience at Ardmore! Laura was very dissappointed that she missed it as well, she had to work that weekend :( But do let us know when the next one is on - Laura would definately love to come and watch! :D
Really good idea to practice focus, I would definately want to teach her a word that meant focus, otherwise cinnamon will get confused between normal walking and obeidence walking.
Licks and lots of slobber,
Lexi and Jasper the Danes
Oh Cinnamon what a beautiful coat! I like Mint's coat too - it looks like doggy overalls :o)
ReplyDeleteDear Cinnamon,
ReplyDeletethat is a lovely coat! We are excited as soon some coats will be arriving for us in the mail! Mints coat is SO INCREDIBLY CUTE!!!! It made Mumma go quite silly hehehe :D
I think your attention exercise is very good :) Mumma would be so happy if Delta and I can pay such good attention one day :) We are working on it!
your pals,
Digby and Delta
Hey Mint, I have two coats that I refuse to walk in. Do ya want them dude? One is a drizabone one which Mum says is very manly. Yeah sure, I still aint being seen dead in it.
ReplyDeleteBodie